Over the past 10 years, The Healthy Mummy – a nutritious eating and weight loss program – has grown from Rhian Allen’s kitchen to a multimillion-dollar international business that reaches over 1.5 million mums and employs more than 150 staff.
Since its inception, The Healthy Mummy has continued to offer health-oriented products through The Healthy Mummy app, featuring meal and exercise plans and new live app workouts with the 28 Day Challenge.
The program also provides smoothie recipes, supplements, merchandise and The Healthy Mummy Skin range, specifically formulated for mums, as well as a frozen-food delivery service through Meals To You.
“I am so passionate about The Healthy Mummy. I believe in what we do as a business so much. I want to shout it from the rooftops.” – Rhian Allen
Following the expansion of the business in Australia, The Healthy Mummy launched into the UK in 2018 and the US in 2019.
“I started The Healthy Mummy in October 2010 and had no idea about running a business,” Rhian says.
“No idea of the financial risks, financial loss, stress, personal sacrifice, hard work, determination and grit needed for it to succeed.
“I feel like I have been climbing Mount Everest for 10 years and each year brings me to a new summit. I have learnt so much. Each year makes me stronger as a businesswoman and I hope makes me better at what I do.”
Rhian’s 10 lessons behind The Healthy Mummy
1. Work hard
This is something that you may think goes without saying, but a strong work ethic is essential for success.
Consistent hard work will get you to a lot of places. I have met many people who want success but are not prepared to put in the effort. They love the idea of success, but they aren’t prepared to work the long hours and do it day in and day out.
2. Innovation is critical
Lack of innovation will kill your business. I have always believed this. It is imperative to always look forward and have new ideas waiting in the wings.
You can’t sit there and hope it will turn out OK. You need to be the master of your own destiny. The world moves fast, and consumers have a desire for better products, better services and more ways to make their lives easier.
If you don’t innovate and invest, your business may not survive.
3. Be consistent
Success comes with consistency. You cannot be successful if you are only performing 50% of the month.
You must stay focused and consistent 24/7. This means not being sidetracked by life’s many distractions.
If you are trying to grow your business and brand you must execute your plan consistently – not just when you feel good. Even if you feel bad or things are going wrong in your life, you must consistently work at building.
4. Make sacrifices
I have never met anyone successful who has not made sacrifices. To be successful, there will need to be sacrifices. It could be short-term financial sacrifice, or it could be sleep, personal time, holidays – whatever it is, you need to decide if it is worth it.
5. Worship the customer
I believe this is crucial for any business and is the cornerstone for success. If you do not worship your customer, then you won’t have customers. Listen to them, respond to them and invest in them.
6. Resilience
It is important to have a never-give-up attitude and leave no stone unturned. If you hit a roadblock, know that there is always another way – you just need to find it.
People all too often give up as hard work is off-putting, but if you want it badly enough, you will find a way.
7. Sales are everything
In business, sales are everything. Sell and create what your customer needs. Sales should not be a dirty word. Sales should be letting your customer know what awesome products and services you offer; without sales, they don’t know – so embrace sales and start selling.
8. Love your business
If you are not running a business you love and are passionate about, then don’t do it. I believe you will only give 110% if you are passionate about it.
I am so passionate about The Healthy Mummy. I believe in what we do as a business so much. I want to shout it from the rooftops.
“It’s important to have a never-give-up attitude and leave no stone unturned. If you hit a roadblock, know that there is always another way – you just need to find it.”
I want to empower mums to live a healthier life and this drives me to work the hardest I can. I am deeply passionate about my brand and business and I hope this shows. Be passionate about your brand and it will show too.
9. Have a story
More than ever, consumers want to engage and connect with genuine brands and businesses. We increasingly live in a ‘fake’ world where we question whether what we see is real or not.
So be real, genuine and have a story. Sure, you are a business and need to make a profit, but tell your story. Show that you are genuine and not a manufactured business.
10. Accept challenges
It is important to accept that things will go wrong; when they do, move on quickly, learn from it and stay positive. I am a massive believer in this.
I can’t even tell you how many times I have had bad things happen and times where the sickness and fear in the pit of your stomach is so strong that you wonder how you can cope – but I also don’t let bad things rule me.
I let myself have a day of being in a hole but then I shake myself up, learn and move on. I don’t dwell on things. I am all about being positive and moving on.
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